Kashmiri voice and UN Resolution foundations of just solution - MEP

1.17.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Sep 2006

Long-time campaigner for a just solution in Kashmir, county MEP Liz Lynne has addressed a fringe meeting at the Lib Dem conference calling for the people of Kashmir to be at the centre of future peace talks.

And she reiterated her view that United Nations Resolution 47, passed in 1948 and calling for a 'free and impartial plebiscite', is still the foundation of any future solution.

Liz Lynne told the meeting in Brighton: "This should not just be a conversation between politicians - the process needs the voice of the people to be heard.

"When Pakistan's President Musharraf visited the European Parliament last week I am pleased to say he did give me assurances that he wanted the Kashmiris to be involved at the heart of the talks.

"He also told me that the UN resolution calling for a plebiscite of the Kashmiri people remains the basis of the solution.

"This is so important because, in my mind, nothing has taken over from this resolution and it must be acted upon in order to give the people at the centre a choice about their future.

ENDS

Editor's Notes

Liz was speaking to a Friends of Kashmir Fringe Meeting at the Liberal Democrats Conference in Brighton on Tuesday 19th September.